PLANS to move a popular agricultural show across the border from Todmorden to Cliviger have been welcomed by councillors.

Todmorden Agricultural Show is set to become one of the biggest events in the Cliviger events calendar when it moves to Burnley Road on July 17 next year and is expected to bring thousands of people to the village.

Organisers plan to invest in access road improvements and drainage works at the site, close to the Ram Inn, and believe the event will attract people from all over the North to Cliviger.

Cliviger with Worsthorne councillor and Cliviger Parish chairman Cosima Towneley said: “I am looking forward to many years of cooperation. It’s an event that the parish council is fully behind. Having lost the Burnley Agricultural Show it’s really exciting that we can have something of this calibre in Cliviger.

“It’s a really historic show and we’re looking forward to welcoming people from both sides of the border.”

Cliviger with Worsthorne Cllr David Heginbotham said: “It’s good news for Cliviger. This will be one of the biggest events in the village and bring in tourism.”

Fellow ward councillor Andrew Newhouse said: “This will be good for Cliviger and Burnley as a whole. It will attract a lot of people in to the area. The only issue may be traffic control but I am sure that will be looked at.”

The show, organised by Todmorden Agricultural Society, had previously been held in Centre Vale Park, Burnley Road, since 1912.

But it was deemed unviable by show organisers to return to the venue next year after discussion with Calderdale Council and the Environment Agency.

The 2016 event was cancelled after limits on vehicle weights and other restrictions were placed on use of Centre Vale Park following reinstatement of flood alleviation drainage by the Environment Agency.

Over past weeks they have spoken further with Calderdale officers about restrictions which would have left the society liable to some degree for damage caused to the park’s drainage pipes by heavy vehicles and poles and spikes, and the effect of re-drawing the showground.

Society secretary Rob Goldthorpe said: “We were reluctant to move but it is either that or we have a show at Centre Vale nothing like the extent that people are used to. For example, the scaffolding poles for cattle have to go four or five feet into the ground and you couldn’t help but hit the drainage system. We are not criticising the EA as the park is part of the town’s flood defences.

“We want to keep the event accessible to local people while enabling us to retain its size and scope. The Cliviger site is on a regular bus route and we are exploring the possibility of putting extra buses on.”

The event has received the backing of the land owner and Cliviger Parish Council. Discussions with Burnley Borough Council about traffic management are set for a later date.

The society is still looking for volunteers.

Visit: todshow.org.uk.